Restlessness setting in but Everton's new dawn needs time to break

In four weeks' time, the new Premier League season kicks off. In some ways it still feels a long way off but in others it's alarmingly close given that, to date, only Maarten Stekelenburg has crossed the threshold of Finch Farm to put pen to paper on a first-team-level contract this summer.

For all the talk of the new financial muscle at Everton provided by Farhad Moshiri, incoming manager Ronald Koeman having a £100m war chest, and consequent media speculation linking the Blues with a slew of attractive names, things have been remarkably quiet up until now; the silence only interrupted by the progressively audible drumming of Evertonian fingers and the tapping of restless Blue feet as the summer transfer speculation wears on.

That growing uneasiness is understandable, if only because the promise of the Moshiri era remains largely in its infancy. His successful courtship of Koeman was a significant harbinger of the new era that is dawning at Goodison Park but reported plans for a resolution of the stadium issue and talk of elite-level transfer budgets are still abstract at this early stage, particularly for a fanbase accustomed to repeated disappointment in both respects. Having dared to dream, Blues fans are now on tenterhooks waiting for those flights of fancy to be realised. Patience is needed but, understandably, it's in increasingly short supply.

It might not feel like it but it's also still quite early, particularly in Everton's situation under a new manager. Though there has been a smattering of sizeable deals already completed — both Manchester clubs have already landed big-money signings, Chelsea have acquired Michy Batshuayi and look to have lured N'Golo Kanté away from Leicester, and Arsenal have bought Granit Xhaka — transfer windows usually need a few catalysts to get the merry-go-round turning and, as is almost always the case in even years of major international tournaments, Euro2016 has delayed this one from really getting going.

The same applies on a more micro level at Everton where the first major transaction — whether that be, for example, the reported deal involving John Stones and Manchester City or the arrival of an Axel Witsel — has the potential to set in motion a chain of comings and goings at Finch Farm. Stones, in particular, is an important part of the jigsaw, both in terms of his astronomic potential value should he leave, and his importance to the team should he stay.

Having seen how much Everton struggled with just three senior centre-halves last season — a folly evident to almost everyone except Roberto Martinez, it seems — Koeman will surely be on the lookout for reinforcements in that area but the level, calibre and cost of any potential defensive acquisition would depend largely on whether Stones stays or goes.

The capture of a Witsel (perhaps), a Juan Mata-type signing (again, for argument's sake) or Kalidou Koulibaly, meanwhile, would signal the kind of sea-change in the perception of Everton from the outside for which we're all hoping. Koeman aside, little has changed on the playing side to attract potential star players to the club — our last league finish was 11th and there will be no European football at Goodison next season — but a marquee signing could be the all-important quantum shift in that regard.

Naturally, there is an inherent chicken-and-egg scenario at play that Moshiri and Koeman must negotiate as they try and steer Everton's reputation away from mid-table mediocrity to aspiring Premier League heavyweights and it might take time and some hefty cheques to accomplish it.

Of course, while Koeman has surely been on the lookout and will have drawn up at least a partial wish-list, he has only been at the helm for about 11 days and one of his first orders of business has been to assess what he has inherited from Martinez. And while there are unquestionably areas of the side that need urgent strengthening — cover at centre half and right back, reliable striking support for Romelu Lukaku, and a top-class goalkeeper, for starters — the Dutchman still has what many regarded as the best Toffees squad of the Premier League era at his disposal.

It's right and proper that he should take his time in weighing up exactly what kind of players he has and what improvements will be required rather than rushing into the market without having done his due diligence.

One of the more intriguing aspects of the coming campaign will be to see how different players respond to the new regime and whether Koeman will be able to coax the best out of a number of players who simply under-performed for much of the past two seasons.

Kevin Mirallas, Gerard Deulofeu, James McCarthy, Ross Barkley and to a certain extent Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines were all disappointing over the last 18 months of Martinez's tenure but there is an awful lot of talent and experience that can be harnessed there by Koeman putting his own managerial nous to work.

Throw in the likes of Muhamed Besic, the unknown quantity of Shani Tarashaj, and the emerging talents of Kieran Dowell, Tom Davies and Jonjoe Kenny, and you have an exciting blend of youth and seasoned professionals that would certainly be capable of getting back among the Europa League qualification places under the right stewardship.

However, 2016-17 promises to be a particularly competitive season in terms of the chase for the top four. That sentiment seems to grow stronger every summer but, while at least one of the “big guns” will probably struggle to get the chemistry right and under-achieve, the arrival of Pep Guardiola, the return of Jose Mourinho, and a first full season for Jurgen Klopp all promise to make both the title race and the fight for Champions League entry particularly fierce.

From that perspective, then, Everton will surely need to add genuinely top-class talent to their ranks this summer in order to compete in the way that the word filtering out regarding Moshiri's ambitions suggests. Therein lies the impatience among Evertonians. Links with the likes of Witsel, Mata, Morgan Schneiderlin, Mateo Kovacic, and Koulibaly (over whom we could go head-to-head in a bidding war with Chelsea if our interest is genuine) reflect the speed with which the Blues' new major shareholder has broadened the club's horizons.

But even with the purse strings opened to sizeable funds, Everton are still fighting a battle of perception and will be reliant on that need to sell potential recruits on a vision and a promise of silverware and European adventures to come. That first big signing could be the key but while it remains elusive, the masses will remain restless.

Reader Comments (100)

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Chris Owens 1Posted
15/07/2016 at
19:15:20

Good article, Lyndon. We struggled last season despite having a squad good enough to challenge for the top four. That was down to poor management by Martinez.

With Ronald Koeman now in charge, that will be put right. Any incoming top-class players will be a bonus.

Colin Glassar 2Posted
15/07/2016 at
19:28:59

I'm as cool as a cucumber. I said last week that nothing will happen this week until they get back from Austria.

It's obvious, to me, that we are negotiating with clubs but we aren't going to get ripped off just cos the media say we have money to burn. Farhad and Ronald will move when the price is right. We only need, IMO, three new top players and to get the best out of our talented squad.

I'm sure Ronald agrees with me and only time will tell if I'm right or wrong.

Garry Corgan 3Posted
15/07/2016 at
19:32:22

Hawksbee and Jacobs on Talksport were talking earlier about an offer we have made to Steve Walsh at Leicester City to become our Director of Football. They spoke as if it was public knowledge and did not speak of it in terms of "reports say" or "an insider states."

I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere else. Has anybody else picked anything up?

Clive Rogers 4Posted
15/07/2016 at
19:37:22

Personally I have every faith in Koeman to get things right. All the players he is being linked with are of a different class to the players Martinez brought in in general.

I don't think he has the belief that he can achieve the necessary improvements from the existing squad. Rather there are going to be wholesale changes especially in midfield.

Paul Andrews 5Posted
15/07/2016 at
19:37:51

Good article, Lyndon, usual high standard.

I am relaxed about the signings. I think the fans have been programmed to being kidded by the previous owners, chairman and board. Not this manager... and certainly not Mr Moshiri. I am 100% confident of that.

Fran Mitchell 6Posted
15/07/2016 at
19:38:52

The pre-season period is boring... so people want signings to get a their fix of footballing excitement.

Of course Koeman is going to assess the players he has first. Why would he splurge on someone then later realize he already has someone to do that job. Clubs that sign for the sake of it, Villa, Newcastle, Leeds, QPR amongst others have never fared well.

We have a good set up, it just needs that little bit of tweaking. Better to take time on the tweaks.

Once the tour is over, I'm sure Koeman will start making his moves. I actually expect most moves to be completed rather quickly, within a short period.

Two things to consider: 1) Koeman has experience (at Southampton) of making last minute, major changes to his squad. And 2) As Fran said, he needed to see what he has before making any major decisions.

Most of his targets are probably still on holiday and won't return to their clubs until next week. I'm confident that next week we will start to see a player or two entering serious negotiations.

These players will come back rested and in fairly good condition, they won't need months to become acclimatised, a few weeks will do.

Will Jones 9Posted
15/07/2016 at
19:52:12

If you go shopping with the old girlfriend, and you have a lil' look around, think about things over a coffee, go back... and the items you wanted are gone... you are like... err hindsight is a wonderful thing. It does not take hindsight to know that we are short by a right back, goalie, and striker.

Also, the gaffa is not new to the footballing scene, he must have had plans for player bids at Southampton. All this considered, I for one, wish to buy a high profile signing just to say to the footballing world that the mighty EFC are back!

The Witsel saga is the one that worries me. As he was the first player to be heavily linked, I think most of us believed that he would be the first 'marquee' signing that could trigger the 'revolution'. Some will say that he was playing in the Euros and we have had to wait until they finished but, in reality, all the early stages of such a deal would be discussed with the parent club (Zenit) and the player's agent and not necessarily with the player himself; and there is the rub. Witsel's agent is a renowned shit-stirrer.

All of last week's talk of Napoli putting in an increased offer is, in my opinion, rubbish; started by the agent. Zenit immediately denied any new contact with Napoli and what reason could they have to lie if it was true? I believe that the agent will do all that he can to delay this deal until possibly even deadline day as he desperately tries to engineer a bidding war.

By that time, the season will already be 2 weeks or more old. Perhaps we need to show a certain resolve with this one; ie, lay down the gauntlet that there is an offer on the table but with only a limited amount of time to accept or decline it. If they accept, great; otherwise, let them 'do one'. There are plenty of other options. I really do not want EFC to be held to ransom over this deal but I fear that is exactly what Witsel's agent is trying to do.

I am intrigued by the apparent links to players that most of us had probably never heard of before those links appeared. That said, Koeman has something of a reputation for spotting emerging talent that others have missed so I am not worried. We do need, however, a couple of major signings to signal our ambitions/intent.

You are right about Stones. That one needs to be resolved sooner rather than later.

Brian Harrison 14Posted
15/07/2016 at
20:29:50

Don't you think we should give Koeman some time? He is at present spending time working with the players for the first time. Guardiola and Mourhino and to a lesser extent Conte have had months to assess players and what replacements they need.

Jay Harris 16Posted
15/07/2016 at
20:31:00

Very good summary of the status quo, Lyndon.

I believe we have been testing the water until we get our ducks in a row.

1. The appointment of a Director of Football.

2. Assess who wants to go and who wants to stay.

3. Assess who Koeman wants to go and who he wants to keep.

We have witnesssed a serious decline in the performance of "Our best squad" since the 80's during the "Martinez experiment".

Some of that quality has gone or aged since (Osman, Pienaar, Hibbert, Jagielka, Barry, Baines) but we have a few coming through the ranks (Galloway, Pennington, Browning, Davies, Dowell and Walsh). However, it is too early to subject them to a whole season in the Premier League and to know if they can be consistent at that level.

While a number of us are adamant we need a new CB, CM and striker and certainly a top class GK we have to allow Koeman to see what he has to fill in his blueprint.

He may even leave it to the end of the window to see how motivated some of the existing squad are to retain their place.

So patience is called for. I, personally feel that as the Kenwright era is coming to a close, so are the mediocre years, and I have every confidence in the Moshiri - Koeman ticket.

Ray Said 17Posted
15/07/2016 at
20:36:01

Like most fans, I do want the club to make a few good signings to say 'we are back in the game'. In reality I do think it is wise of the manager to have a good long look at all players contracted to the club, especially the youngsters, before he makes major moves to bring in players. The situation with Stones and Lukaku complicates the issue and will need careful thought and even more careful action.

I much prefer cool, considered, thought-through actions rather than throwing millions about hastily. Clubs with the turnover of Man Utd, Man City, or Arsenal can spend a couple of hundred million year on year. I doubt we can do this, so we need to make sure our market moves are effective rather than rushed.

Garry Corgan 18Posted
15/07/2016 at
20:37:05

Chris (7) and Lyndon (10) - Thanks for those. I always seem to miss the Rumour Mill postings on the front page for some reason.

Alan Bodell 19Posted
15/07/2016 at
20:38:23

Koeman has been given a dream job, I trust him not to mess it up and, with our young lads pushing forward, with a known transfer bundle, I'm sitting happy. If he gets Tom Davies on the weights, then we have the next few seasons sorted for top 6 and up.

Danny Broderick 20Posted
15/07/2016 at
20:40:46

Some of the players we are interested in are still on holiday after the Euros. The time to worry is if we haven't signed anyone by the end of the month. I believe we'll have signed at least 2 players by then.

Iain Love 21Posted
15/07/2016 at
20:49:45

We are all on the outside looking in and hopefully transfer matters will be resolved before the window closes.

New signings would be nice but in reality we have a fairly decent squad and our first eleven on paper is a match for most teams. If I where Koeman, I would do exactly what he's doing, concentrate on what we have.

There's much talk about certain positions and players we're linked with; my concern is there's not many playmakers mentioned and that is where I believe we're short... although Gerry Boy plays there for the Spanish U21s.

Guy Hastings 22Posted
15/07/2016 at
20:54:55

Top marquee keeper and rejuvenating the rest with a game plan for the new season and fitness levels way above last season would do for a start.

Brent Stephens 23Posted
15/07/2016 at
20:57:08

Lyndon, another great article. You manage to capture so many of the factors and issues, and the interplay between them.

I think patience and trust are the operative words for now.

Tony Hill 24Posted
15/07/2016 at
21:13:38

I don't think most Evertonians feel any impatience. I have every confidence in the manager and Moshiri. There is loads of time. We should relax and enjoy the build up to what is going to be a fascinating season.

Tony Draper 25Posted
15/07/2016 at
21:16:06

Fans can shit their kecks or speculate. But we don't negotiate terms. We don't devise tactics. Thank heavens.

Farhad Moshiri has employed Ronald Koeman to oversee first team affairs. Good. Good choice.

Many Blues want Koeman to give our academy stars a fair chance..... seems like the Austria camp is a reasonable bite sized chunk. (Most likely he has said to Sheeds 'n' Rhino.... "You know these lads... Show us what you got!" He HAS to measure the youth AND their coaches too, doesn't he?).

Then he and his crew are sizing up the players who have returned. FFS, he IS familiar with players returning late from international tournaments...... HE was one such throughout his career!

Ronald Koeman didn't pop out of a fucking egg yesterday! The man is deeply experienced ex-international footballer at both club and national and international level. Then he has numerous layers of club level management in various leagues.

But what do we get here? People talking like he just stepped up from managing the frigging "Spellow Second XI".

Do yourselves and the rest of us a serious favour, but most of all, let Ronald Koeman see the fuckin players, then he'll decide if he wants X, Y or Z, in or gone.

'Cos, ultimately....... that's what we will all get served up with anyway!

Alan Bodell 26Posted
15/07/2016 at
21:26:55

Well put, Tony. We have been crying out for years for this very situation and I'll just leave it to Koeman as it's his career on the line here with what he's been given by Moshiri. (I got a new kitten last week, name is Mosh.)

Mike T Jones 27Posted
15/07/2016 at
21:29:39

Well said, Tony Draper. I think it is a good time to be a Blue. Patience is the watchword.

Martin Mason 28Posted
15/07/2016 at
21:36:57

What is happening at Everton is beyond my wildest dreams and very much 'pinch myself' time. We have a major shareholder who is focused on outcomes and he is slowly and professionally putting into place the building blocks that will hopefully take us back to being a great club and team again.

I believe the choice of manager was right and the choice of Walsh is to identify talent within and without of the club is really positive. We, as fans though, are as accountable as the club in helping deliver success and the most important thing as Lyndon says is to be patient and positive, to trust that the club management is doing what we want too and to give them every support possible.

It isn't going to happen overnight or in a season, there'll be downs, they will operate in confidence over many things and we won't know what is happening and we will get value in everything we do not rush into buying unless the value is obvious and exceptional.

We have managed to get at Everton that which nobody else has come near doing in these difficult financial times. Everton has a great fan base and I'm sure that the future for us is great.

James Morgan 29Posted
15/07/2016 at
21:58:09

The fact we are trying to get Steve Walsh in shows that we are looking for a man to spot talent we can sign. Ergo, we are looking to sign players. We've got a new owner, new manager, a potential director of football and the playing talent will follow.

Let's all wait to see Moshiri's masterplan fall into place. I imagine, come the end of August, we will all be pleasantly surprised.

Geoff Risebrow 30Posted
15/07/2016 at
22:23:28

In Moshiri I trust!

Andy Meighan 31Posted
15/07/2016 at
22:32:32

Good post from Tony (#25).

Koeman's no mug  he'll assess what we have and haven't got and go from there.

The thing I'm wary about is throwing silly money at ordinary players. We've seen enough of that with them clowns across the park and where has it got them? Apart from the season where they were pipped by Man City for the Premier League title.

It's folly to think this new-found so-called wealth will bring us immediate success; it won't. I'm sure Koeman and his expertise will unearth a couple of gems, so let's be patient and give the manager the time he needs. Patience, as they say, is a virtue.

William Colman 32Posted
15/07/2016 at
22:43:32

Obviously a class centre-half is a must before we let Stones maybe go to Man City. But it is annoying how the agents jump from one club to another for the biggest wedge.

For me, if the player doesn't want to sign for us, say "See ya" and move on to the next target. Let's hope every thing is sorted before the season starts and not on transfer deadline day.

Stephen Williams 33Posted
15/07/2016 at
00:14:46

Some of the comments on this site and not just on this thread about 'Koeman agrees with me', 'If I were him', 'He's doing the things I'd do' etc etc are just plain embarrassing.

I suspect that very few of us have met Koeman and even fewer know him so well that we are privy to his innermost thoughts. To suggest otherwise is pathetic. Arguments against this on the proverbial postage stamp please.

However, for the record, I'm prepared to trust a proven world class ex-player with a proven track record in the Premier League of getting a club to outperform its standing, to get it right at our club. And if he doesn't, I fully expect Moshiri, who has an equally proven track record of being a winner in business, to swap Koeman out for someone else he thinks can take us where he and us want us to be.

Most importantly, I suspect that Koeman, having met and been wooed by Moshiri, knows it also! That can only be to our benefit.

I sincerely hope and expect that neither Moshiri nor Koeman want to waste money by paying over the odds for players  remember, paying 㾶m too much for 2 or 3 players means we miss out on another world class talent.

I suspect that none of us know what targets are serious or media-invented. Equally I'd expect the world class exposure that Koeman has (and not many of us can match that  certainly not me), will know what's needed. So just settle down and await the proper moves to start.

Or alternatively you could embarrass yourselves further by claiming you know more than you actually do, or claim that we should sign x, y and z because you know better than Koeman. At the very least, you'll give us a laugh.

Bob Parrington 34Posted
16/07/2016 at
01:20:24

Good article, Lyndon. Thanks. A destabilising factor (i.e. in creating restlessness) must be that we are linked with almost every man and his dog as far as transfers are concerned. The media is having a great time. I just received a message claiming that Man Citeh is offering Bony as a trade in for John Stones. OMG - reportedly Dean Jones.

In the greater scheme of things, why would we want a Citeh cast-off? Can anybody tell me why we should even consider Bony? He hardly set the world alight with Citeh.

Derek Thomas 35Posted
16/07/2016 at
02:25:20

Everything is still up in the air, but some things seem likely: Stones will probably go  but not before a replacement comes in.

It wouldn't be the end of the world if, as part of the Stones deal, with the proviso of 'the figures make sense' to, given we need a Lukaku back up/partner, to take Bony as part of the deal... but not for silly money, say if they 'value' him at some ridiculous figure and call it Bony + 㿀M = 㿣M.

Likewise, given (IMO) the need to assess all players under match conditions, that we will be spunking 𧴜M + the Stones money in the next 6 or so weeks until the window shuts and wouldn't be surprised if a good deal of Moshiri's money stays down the back of the sofa until Christmas.

Anto Byrne 36Posted
16/07/2016 at
04:17:58

Didn't this squad score a lot of goals last term? Could well be some fine tuning is required to stop the goals we conceded.

So just a couple of quality reinforcements are required.

Darryl Ritchie 37Posted
16/07/2016 at
04:56:43

I've got to admit, I'm a wee bit restless, and more than a little nervous. But then again I was the same way last season...and every season before that. It's all a part of hoping for the best and fearing the worst.

We've so much too look forward to, but have absolutely no say in making it happen. It's the not knowing what will happen that makes the preseason, and the season for that matter, a bit of a nightmare.

We've got Moshiri and Koeman. We apparently have players that want to leave, with only a reserve keeper and a handful of U21's coming in. There's so much to do, and not a lot of time left to do in. I trust these two to get it right, but I'm still a wee bit restless and a little bit nervous...as it should be.

In my experience, it's what makes an Evertonian, an Evertonian.

Ian Riley 38Posted
16/07/2016 at
05:25:07

This is normal for Everton. What's all the fuss about? Expect three signings during final week of the transfer window!! Its what we do!!!

Darren Hind 39Posted
16/07/2016 at
05:33:05

I don't agree that Moshiri and his people are "biding their time"... at least no more than any other club.

This is very definitely a seller's market, I believe a lot of clubs have been taken aback by the asking prices they've been quoted in their initial inquiries for players outside the Premier League. Every club in the Premier League is loaded and the rest of football are looking for a slice of the pie.

No club enjoys this brinkmanship. The days of leaving it until the last minute to save a months wages are over. They would all dearly love to get their business done early, absolute fortunes are at stake here, timing is everything.

Of course, Koeman has to make an assessment of what he has inherited, but time will not stand still. A good player is a good player and if Everton want him, you can be sure others do too.

Wait and it's too late, you snooze and you lose, dither and you, err... wither.

Douglas McClenaghan 40Posted
16/07/2016 at
07:12:35

We could splash out on players and keep everyone happy... until they don't do as well as expected and the fume begins. Patience.

Laurie Hartley 41Posted
16/07/2016 at
07:20:21

It seems to me that the Stones and Lukaku situations are complicating this window for the club. If either or both of them are going then there is a big hole to plug in a pretty short space of time.

I think the manager will get to talk to them next week? if he hasn't already done so. One thing I am sure of is that he will already have a short list of replacements for either or both of them and is ready to make a bid(s).

I have watched and listened to our new boss in his interviews and his hands on training sessions with the players in Austria very closely. If I had to choose two words to describe how he comes across I would have to say "in command". He will sort this out I am sure.

As far as a marquee signing is concerned I would settle for Mata.

Paul Andrews 42Posted
16/07/2016 at
07:33:02

Laurie, very good post. Logic tells you Koeman needs to talk to players returning to training and assess who is going and who is staying before he buys.

The one exception, we know Stones has handed a transfer request in, we know we can get 㿔 million minimum so I would hope we sign Koulibaly early using the Stones money.

We have had year after year of hysteria: "Buy anyone, it doesn't matter who  just show us the money!"

It is a new era. Have patience and trust in Mr Moshiri and Koeman.

Gareth Williams 43Posted
16/07/2016 at
07:33:35

Give it time we will sign the right players.

Sam Hoare 44Posted
16/07/2016 at
07:51:20

I'm in no rush (even though I'm checking NewsNow, Twitter and the Transfer Centre every 3 minutes!!)

The good players (and their greedy agents) will take time to be coaxed. This is the way of it; what is holding up the Witsel deal, for example? We are not known as a top European club and it will take time to shift this perception.

For me, it is all about WHO rather than WHEN. I'd be much happier to get Koulibaly, Witsel and Wijnaldum two minutes before the transfer shuts than get Scott Dann, Fellaini and Scott Sinclair tomorrow.

Colin Glassar 45Posted
16/07/2016 at
07:56:26

Same here, Sam. I see even the major rumour/gossip sites have given up, apparently, linking us to every Tom, Dick and Harry out there. They are probably making up new lists of players to link to us next week.

Dave Rosper 46Posted
16/07/2016 at
08:25:34

They have plastic spoons in here and a nice woman in a dress that rustles. Always rustling, rustling. I thought I heard her say Everton had signed a new player but she emptied the bed pan instead.

Rustle rustle rustle.....

Tony Abrahams 47Posted
16/07/2016 at
08:35:03

Think Darren, has got a good point, when he says it's a sellers market. Let's just hope we can hold on to big rom!

John Louis Jones 48Posted
16/07/2016 at
09:16:45

I am pretty chilled at the moment. Yes, I would love EFC to go spend 㿞 Million on a World Class Media "we are here" type player. I just don't think that is going to happen until the last week of July or first week of August.

We do have a good squad but it is really unbalanced. Firstly we don't have a left-footed winger at the club. (I don't think Dowell is a winger.) We have 4 right-footed wingers and 4 left-backs. We have 6 central midfielders and only 1 that is creative (Barkley).

Davies looks more like a box-to-box player (a damn good one but, at 18, he is not going to play every game). Koeman and his team have a lot to figure out.

Question to whoever reads this: out of Mirallas, McGeady, Lennon and Deulofeu, who would you keep? You really need 2 right-footed wingers and 2 left-footed wingers (unless you're Martinez). Again... Baines, Garbutt, Galloway and Ovideo  Who do you keep?

Most successful managers have a squad of 24 and a couple of fringe youth players pushing the 1st team. Everton have that but the problem that Koeman faces is that Bobby stockpiled players in positions and left other areas thin. I would expect to see players leave first.

Dave Abrahams 49Posted
16/07/2016 at
09:29:16

Sam (#44), a lot of sense there, maybe because I agree with most of your thread.

John Raftery 50Posted
16/07/2016 at
11:43:10

John (#48),

In reply to your question, I would certainly get rid of McGeady who will never cut it in the Premier League. There must be doubts also as to Deulofeu's ability to be anything other than an erratic impact player.

Maybe in his case Koeman's efforts to improve discipline and fitness will reap dividends but a team aspiring for a berth in the top six will need a much more consistent output than he has delivered in his career to date. So for me, the players to keep for this season would be Mirallas and Lennon.

John Raftery 51Posted
16/07/2016 at
12:01:03

John (#48),

As regards the left-back position, Luke Garbutt seemed to struggle at Fulham last season. There was no evidence in reports he was a player ready to break into a top Premier League team. I can see him returning to the Championship before the end of the current transfer window.

The doubts about Oviedo concern his injury record rather than his ability. Baines has reached a stage in his career where he is increasingly injury prone while Galloway's performances tailed off dramatically around November last year after a promising first couple of months.

So there are doubts concerning all our left backs. It may be that other positions are of a higher priority and we must make do with what we have through the coming season.

Christopher Timmins 52Posted
16/07/2016 at
12:19:31

The manager needs time to assess where he needs to improve the squad, only recently taking his first training session. Stay calm folks, in Ron I trust.

Steven Kendrew 53Posted
16/07/2016 at
16:52:35

Steady as she goes. No panic required.

Koeman needs to assess his current squad, deal with the possible want-aways and then see who else he needs.

I think we may see a Mirallas resurgence which would be almost like getting a new player. I am looking forward to the season!

Brent Stephens 54Posted
16/07/2016 at
17:24:13

I think the issue is not so much RK knowing who is available on the market currently but what our current players are capable of in relation to the style and tactics he wants. So I guess he'll use training and friendlies to assess our own guys first, before jumping into the market.

Kunal Desai 55Posted
16/07/2016 at
17:48:48

I'm more than happy the club take their time to get the right type of players to the club. We are going for top-end signings probably involving many different parties to work with in concluding the deals; therefore, they are not as straight-forward.

I would be more than happy to be patient and wait for the players we are now going for  unlike the previous regime where most seasons it would go down to deadline day only for us to be disappointed.

Tony Weedon 56Posted
16/07/2016 at
19:31:39

All sensible comments... but you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear and we've got sow's ears a-plenty.

He's got to be ruthless and purge those who either aren't good enough or don't want to play for the Blues.

I'd offload Stones at the drop of a hat; if someone wants to pay silly money for him then grab it... likewise with the enigma that is Lukaku.

For what it's worth, the same goes for Barkley, he's too inconsistent and doesn't put a shift in for one so young.

For me, if they don't get Mata, then I'd play Deulofeu at Number 10.

Mirallas needs a kick up the arse. Nice with the ball, but like Lukaku, bone idle.

My one wish is we off load Lukaku.

Rick Tarleton 57Posted
16/07/2016 at
21:47:34

Like I suspect 99% of the correspondents, I know little or nothing about Moshiri or Koeman other than the little I have read in the press and on ToffeeWeb. Koeman did a good job at Southampton, certainly as good a job as Pochettino did. He created a team that knew how to defend and how to score goals, he seemed to get the best out of his players.

Moshiri, I know merely as a quiet man who had a role at Arsenal. To make guesses about what they will do or can do seems presumptuous. I hope they know what they are doing, that they can motivate the squad and get the best out of certain individuals. Above all, I hope that they have a tactical vision for how to play in most circumstances and, unlike Martinez, the acumen to know when and how to change the tactics when things are not quite working.

Like most of you, I'd have liked to have seen one or two big signings, but at this stage, I hope that they know what they are doing and that's the best I can hope. Football depends on empirical results and we can only hope that the steps have been put in place for success to begin early in the season. In theory, after the Spurs game, we have quite a gentle start to the season and ought to expect to be quite well placed after six or seven games.

Si Cooper 58Posted
17/07/2016 at
01:11:14

The Steve Walsh approach has muddied the waters a bit for me. He is supposed to be the guy to identify / sort out our transfers isn't he? Has he joined us? If he has, how long will it take for him to assess who we need to take us to the next level? Is he simply for the future or a desperately late attempt to get things done in this transfer window?

Personally, I am a little worried we are about a month behind in our organisation for the coming season than we would ideally like to be. That will make it harder, with potentially a lot of compromise, to hit the ground running in 4 weeks time.

Ian Riley 59Posted
17/07/2016 at
01:31:09

I think its more expectations than restlessness. All the talk of £100 million to spend is meaningless. Why? Burnley, West Brom, and Hull City have too, based on the Sky contract.

Everton Football Club have gained so much more than signings by having Mr Koeman as our manager. The squad of players we have could achieve much more than last season. Players have a fresh start, an opportunity to show they're committed to the manager's plans.

The club need to tell Stones and Lukaku a date has been set. No offers that meet our valuations, then no sale, door closed. If we sell one or both players during the final week of the transfer window. I would be disappointed.

I would not be surprised if one or two signings come in. I got what I wanted. A top manager who will say it as it is.

David Price 60Posted
17/07/2016 at
08:11:47

I, like all Everton fans, have longed for the day when the likes of Kante and Mahrez would move from a successful club to another club because they know they are more likely to have further success.

The delay in acquisitions is a sign that the board and Ronald are being realistic and not rushing headlong into wasting money just to satisfy the fans who hate it when the RS buy players. Liverpool like us have had a lot of turkeys as a result of this, Benteke to name just one.

Be patient; Moshiri has already proved he is very shrewd. Remember a house is only good with a strong set of foundations and a good builder!!! I as an Everton fan haven't been this optimistic for the future of the club in decades.

Karl Meighan 61Posted
17/07/2016 at
08:29:21

First thing I want to see regardless of who is bought is getting back to making Goodison a hard place to come and play and were you get nothing unless you are prepared to give blood, and even then it may not be enough.

The style of play will also change under Koeman, but unlike others I don't see the players inherited as possible top 4 at their best. At best, with things going our way, 5th could be achieved but there is so little to choose between many Clubs  we could finish around 10th.

Two or three top quality additions is what I would like to see, Tadic (if Mata is out of reach) would fit the bill and Millik to give support to Rom (if he stays around). As for central defenders, that looks a minefield... look what Sakho cost the redshite. Getting the best out of Baines and Coleman as Lyndon mentioned is also a priority if we are to move forward.

Darren Bailey 62Posted
17/07/2016 at
10:28:31

There is definitely a divide in the "patient" and "impatient" fans through this thread. Things to think about-logically:

Moshiri's vision is to make the club great again. His main priorities must have been:- new manager, finances/shares etc and ground move. He's well on his way to having all three of those sorted out.

Koeman arrived and I'm sure the first thing he wanted to do was sort out his backroom staff which he's done (Step One). Between Koeman and Moshiri they have agreed upon (as far as we know) a DoF to assist with scouting and transfers (Step Two). Were Monchi and Overmars in the frame? We don't know but it seems as though Steve Walsh is the man they're after and that looks promising. So, judging by that why would we have signed anyone before we bring to the club the man responsible for doing that job?

Koeman will have players he likes and a shortlist that would have been presented to the board and tentative enquiries have probably been made. Once Walsh is on board, I expect the ball to be rolling on the transfer front. It may go something like  Koeman tells him what position he wants to strengthen and Walsh will recommend certain individuals. It's basic common sense; like I say Koeman will have his favourites but he may be waiting for Walsh for some advice.

First week of training at Finch Farm and a week away in Austria to assess what he currently has at the club (Step Three). I'm sure he will know that we have a good bunch of younger players and this period is when he'll be looking at whether any of them will be able to step up next season. Is it too soon for Kenny or Jones to be Coleman's competition? Should Browning or Galloway be cover at full back or centre back? Is Pennington good enough to be considered?

Why did he play Davies at right back yesterday? Does he see something in him that may mean a change of position? Is he, Williams, Walsh, Grant, Dowell or Henen ready? Are Rodriguez or Niasse any good?

There are so many questions but only he knows the answers. Patience is virtue and in general I'm not but I think we have to be in this situation. Now the lads are back from Austria and once Walsh is on board I expect it to be all systems go, until then I'm afraid it's just sit back and relax. Moshiri and Koeman have a master plan and sometimes they take time to unfold.

Phil Walling 63Posted
17/07/2016 at
12:28:11

Karl @61. The bookies have us down for 8th recognising as they do that Everton is not the only club wishing to improve the playing staff and having sufficient money to do it.

Most of us would hope for slightly more  whilst not a return to the days of Moyes  seventhish with signs of ongoing improvement.

(Ironically, had Martinez's career with us read 11th, 11th, 5th rather than the other way round, even I would have been struggling to find fault and he would certainly still be with us  Niasse or not!)

So how shall I bet? Main bet on the bookies' 8th and a saver on 7th? Anything higher would be dreamland.

Eric Myles 64Posted
17/07/2016 at
12:53:51

Paul (#43),

I've been moving country for a couple of days and have intermittent internet access but has Stones officially requested a transfer??

Karl Meighan 65Posted
17/07/2016 at
14:57:39

Phil, with good home form, without having to score 3 to gain a point would be a start but, unlike many here, I don't see anything that tells me we're top 4 material. I don't buy the "it's our best squad for years" line.

The Premier League is piss poor and  with the right tactics, attitude and setup  any team must fancy their chances of beating anyone in the league at home.

Don't know were you should put your money but as for finding fault if we don't win every home game, I will find fault as we're not the best so can always improve.

William Cartwright 66Posted
17/07/2016 at
15:15:03

Darren @62; 100% right. There must be a general plan. The step-by-step approach will pay dividends. How fast we can progress from one step up to another will be interesting. Some steps may take longer than others.

The Steve Walsh story is an interesting one. Possible that a tried and tested English alternative, localish to the area but with a fantastic pedigree is a real boost.

I think there are some rumors that can be considered as reasonably true and I sense the Niasse out to loan is another one of those. Again, a sign of another step in the process. The existing players have been given an opportunity to show what they can do, and a quick analysis later and a logical decision emerges, possibly to save the player more personal embarrassment if anything.

Interesting too, to see how certain players are emerging from the process. Mirallas I sense will have been marketed as a potential new big asset (which most of us expect). Gibson is also emerging as a 'character' within the club when previously he was a bit of a lost soul.

The Stones saga will roll on. Interesting to see the rumor (reliable?) for Bony as part of the deal? Has Bony become a bad player since joining Man City? Probably not, but pulling him away from another Rodwell scenario could be a master stroke, playing and commercial wise.

Myself I would settle for a season where we play to our strengths and rebuild the lost team spirit. Where the new stadium becomes a realistic planning / investment strategy and we have a feel good factor around the Club again, at all levels.

NSNO - COYBRespect to Koeman and Moshiri and the responsibility they carry to us all.

Colin Glassar 67Posted
17/07/2016 at
16:26:14

I think this IS the week we make a move. Witsel, despite us being his fifth choice and not Italian, will grudgingly accept our offer and become our biggest signing to date. Kouilbaly is another possibility but I still think he will end up in a Sky 4 club.

There's something very strange in the Witsel deal as the Italian media are saying Inter and Napoli had 㿁m offers accepted but we are offering between 㿈-30m and still negotiating!!

Darren Bailey 68Posted
17/07/2016 at
16:46:29

As a follow up to my previous post @62, I think before the Spurs game there will be a couple of other "steps" in the plan. Step 4 will be for Ron to assess & negotiate certain players contracts & roles at the club. Barkley, Lukaku & Stones in particular.

I expect Stones is gone. The thing I worry with this is his replacement & the inflated price we'll pay,not necessarily him leaving. (Koulibaly is a prime example.) It has to be the right deal for the club. I like Bony & think him with Lukaku or to compete with him is a fantastic option. He's a top player who went to the graveyard that is the Etihad.

Ross will have a big season under Koeman & hopefully will learn from him & finally fulfill that potential.

Lukaku has to stay,there's nobody out there (unlike Stones' position) to replace him. There are centre half's out there but not any 20+ goalscorers. The only other top striker I feel would make an impact would be Slimani. Lacazette maybe but is he available? Maybe Haller but he's an unknown at present.

By the looks of things I think Baines (fitness), Funes Mori (not going Olympics), Gibson (attitude) and Mirallas (enthusiasm) have all impressed & think will thrive under Koeman. Hopefully he'll give Browning, Galloway, Davies & Dowell game time as well as bringing in a few players as that will be the right blend. I'd love to see a few academy boys play important roles next season. < >And then finally the step we've all been waiting for â€“ Step 5.

Moshiri got his man, Koeman's got his staff & knows what he wants, Walsh on board. We start signing players.

The list for me would be:

GK, RB (possible-could be Browning/Kenny), CB (x2 if Stones leaves-one that can cover RB would be best), CM (could be Davies) No 10, winger (could be Dowell) & striker.

Just my opinion.

John Austin 69Posted
17/07/2016 at
21:49:34

Colin. The fact that Witsel is not sold on coming here worries me. I don't want him if we are his fifth choice. As you say, there is something very strange about this deal. Let's go elsewhere.

Dan Davies 70Posted
17/07/2016 at
22:09:50

I can't see Witsel signing, Col... sorry. I think that would have happened by now.

Danny O'Neill 71Posted
17/07/2016 at
22:40:38

Wise words, David Price. So many modern fans associate price tag with ambition or success but the perfect example of spanking money on averageness lies 1 mile from Goodison Park (and they've done it in two waves; Kenny's second coming and then Brenda's shopping spree).

I don't care how much money we have or how much money there is in the English game; there is still a lot to be said for how you spend it rather than how much you spend. Quality not quantity will always prevail.

Jack Convery 72Posted
17/07/2016 at
22:41:12

It's all about sending out signals and selling Stones is a very negative signal in my opinion. The best young centre half in Europe leaving is a signal only a selling club sends out. EFC must keep its best and rid itself of its worst.

Martinez and his backroom boys  done.

Kone, Niasse (a deal that needs an investigation as to what the hell went on) and anyone else at the club who can't cope with the demands of achieving a top four finish.

Over to you, Ronald.

Dave Lynch 73Posted
18/07/2016 at
05:47:12

Someone mentioned we are about "A month behind in rebuilding".

This is due to the Euros and the state of the squad that other Spanish clown left us with.

Patience, my Evertonian brethren, it will all look different when the new season starts... Trust me.

Ian Riley 74Posted
18/07/2016 at
08:33:16

Dave (#73). I do hope your right. I would rather get top players in early than have to settle for second best. Everton have very little to offer but more money at the bargaining table.

All the talking and negotiations taking so long will leave so-called bigger clubs to swoop in at the last minute. By signing one top player already would have shown real intent to the squad and future potential signings.

A new week ahead may bring more news.......

Tony Abrahams 75Posted
18/07/2016 at
08:56:12

Danny (#71), I have to agree and also say that Liverpool, are not the only club, to waste money in this way.

I was looking on the Echo website, and a headline said, "We don't want a marque signing, we just want good players", so those Liverpool fans are finally learning.

I just want the same thing for Everton, because the only thing that more money is going to do, for teams in this super rich Premier League is create more waste.

Andy Codling 76Posted
18/07/2016 at
09:29:24

Jack (#72)  "The best young defender in Europe"???

I must have missed him as I've been watching John Stones...

Sam Hoare 77Posted
18/07/2016 at
09:47:19

Ronald has had a good look now and is back home after Austria. Most players at Euro2016 are coming back from their holidays now. I would be very surprised if we have not made one or two signings by the end of this week.

I'd still like Witsel and we are still bookies favourite to sign him. I don't care about not being his first choice so long as he works hard once he is here; if anything, the fact that he is not signed yet shows he is not 100% mercenary. We are unlikely to be the first pick for many top European clubs and that will take time to change.

Koulibaly would be a top signing (if horribly overpriced); if not, then Rugani could be intriguing. Imagine Stones will be off to Man City soon if the overriding media opinion is to be believed.

I like the idea of Rui Patricio for ٤m. A good GK at a bargain price.

Haller and Ziyech would then be good replacements for the likes of Kone and Niasse unless they have impressed RK in training.

Would be happy to line up against Spurs (assuming the selected players have trained well and got in good shape) with something like:

David (81) I know you were having a bit of fun but the first false number nine was Nandor Hidegkuti of Hungary in the early fifties.

Hungary came to Wembley in 1953 and totally destroyed England 6-3, Hidegkuti scored a hat-trick in a roving centre-forward role. I think Feranc Puskas scored a couple, England had not lost at home for 90 years, they lost a return game 7-1 not long after in Budapest, this is England's heaviest defeat.

Hungary were the best team in the world at the time and although they never won the World Cup in 1954 there were suggestions that the German team that beat them in the final had used drugs to do so.

Don Revie played this deep lying centre-forward role for Man City not long after, to great effect.

Sorry for such a long post, but is very quiet on here today.

Dave Abrahams 83Posted
18/07/2016 at
13:21:54

By the way, Eire beat England 2-0 at Goodison Park but for some reason this is not counted in the records. Peter Farrell, of Everton scored one of the goals, I think.

Tony Draper 84Posted
18/07/2016 at
13:48:18

Sam, you completely outfoxed me with your left-field thinking!

You don't favour wearing brown shoes on matchdays by any chance?

Tommy Webber 85Posted
18/07/2016 at
17:10:09

Aren't we waiting on a new (long-term) deal for Lukaku? A new striker of his calibre would take the lion's share of the 𧴜m warchest. If he winds his contract down to the last year or so, our return won't be adequate enough to replace him.

The good news is, both Koeman and Man City are about to complete a transfer deal (this week, I'm guessing) to sort this particular problem out.

Wilfried Bony would be a like-for-like replacement for Rom but having two marque strikers at the club would be a statement of intent to the rest of the Premier League that Everton Will Be A Force To Be Reckoned With!!!

Phil Malone Jnr 86Posted
18/07/2016 at
17:49:16

Everton are like the mum and dad who tell the kids they are going on holiday to DisneyWorld. After a couple of weeks of excitement and anticipation of seeing Micky Mouse they start to look at Hawaii, then Spain, then Greece.

When they finally make a decision on Blackpool beach, they decide it's too late to go this year. But...next year we'll go to Disney for a month... maybe!

Alan McGuffog 87Posted
18/07/2016 at
18:37:55

Dave.... without intending to be too political, I fear that it may have been due to our strange attitude to Irish independence at the time.

Although partition took place in 1922 (hope I'm correct on that Irish blues), the Irish Republic still had some ties to the British Empire... Dominion Status or some such... for many years. I think final total independence didn't occur until the late thirties.

Seems that, at the time of the Goodison game, some people still couldn't accept that the Republic of Ireland was a foreign, sovereign state. Incidentally there used to be an Irish Blues website and there was some great footage of that game on it.

Danny O'Neill 89Posted
18/07/2016 at
21:05:18

Going back to Sam's team / squad suggestion, very interesting as it chimes with my thoughts, forgetting specific individual newcomers whoever they may be. This is already a good squad that doesn't require major surgery.

Yes, with the releases in the summer, squad numbers are required, however potentially the rise of some of the youngsters can fill that void. We need 3-4 quality players; keeper, centre-back (regardless of the Stones "Will he go or will he stay?" outcome), creative midfielder and backup / competition for Lukaku.

Given the serious under-achievements of the past two seasons, it can become easy to lose sight of the view that this remains a very good squad that, in my opinion, requires the final sprinkle of genuine top-drawer dust over it more than it needs major overhaul. Maybe that's what our new manager is thinking having seen them â€“ hence the seeming inactivity and our restlessness, as Lyndon's title refers to.

Ian Bennett 90Posted
18/07/2016 at
21:20:39

5 big signings funded by the new fella, plus McCarthy, and regretably Stones.

Ian, pretty good team. What do you think the odds on it happening would be? Very long I'm thinking but no harm in dreaming.

Ian Bennett 92Posted
18/07/2016 at
22:38:00

Don't think so either. The keeper and a genuine left wing threat would make a difference.

Anthony Jones 93Posted
18/07/2016 at
22:48:22

I am disappointed that we haven't seen any big signings so far. Martinez needed to go but some of our big-name players are holding us back.

Let's change the guard and chase immediate success. Mourinho, Guardiola and Klopp won't be cautious with money this summer.

Get some of the Italy team in, an Icelandic, a couple of Germans. Bollocks to youth systems and patience!

Danny O'Neill 94Posted
18/07/2016 at
22:52:49

Creative midfielder, Dave / Ian. Or one that looks to pass forward when it's on.

A fit Gibson could make some difference (his ability can be the only reason so many managers; Ferguson, Moyes, Martinez and now Koeman persist despite fitness issues, off field incidents and lifestyle rumours) but a genuinely top drawer creative midfielder would unlock a lot in any of our front 4 options (assuming a 3 playing behind a 1).

James Flynn 95Posted
18/07/2016 at
23:22:59

Only thing holding us back, Anthony, was removed when Moshiri pulled the plug on 3 years of experimenting with the professional game at Everton's expense. Not the players. Not ANY players.

Let's see what the next 6 months shows us with EFC being managed by an actual, genuine, professional manager and coaching staff.

Oliver Molloy 96Posted
18/07/2016 at
23:26:19

Antony @ 31.

I discovered tonight after looking into takeovers of clubs , that Man City spent way over 120 million in 2008-09 season and finished 10th.

I do think we need to get a move on with signing someone but It has to be the right players.

It is difficult right now with so much money flying around and clubs resisting change.

Let's allow Ronald to get his ducks in a row.

Phil Walling 98Posted
19/07/2016 at
09:45:04

A salutary warning, Oliver @96. It's not just about money. The Sky Teams will always have the pick of the crop if only because they can 'offer Europe' and, in the main, big city glamour living.

I have little doubt that the coming season will see improved fare on offer by Everton but 'market forces' may restrict the level of attainment to just two or three league places.

Perhaps, however, this will be the season when we do have something to cheer as a Wembley trip sees us return with some silverware.

Having the club run more professionally will, in itself, show we are on the up!

Dave Abrahams 99Posted
19/07/2016 at
12:44:39

Alan (#87) thanks for that information. I looked the game up on YouTube, there is a very short look at the game.

Peter Corr, also an Everton player, appeared in this game at outside right, he was the brother of Gerry Corr, the father of the Irish musical group, The Corrs.

When Peter retired, he lived in Preston and became a scout for Everton and helped persuade Howard Kendall to sign for Everton.

Anthony Newell 100Posted
20/07/2016 at
07:12:52

I'm no Mystic Meg but expect the Pogba deal going through to trigger a flurry of activity with Mata and Schneiderlin most welcome.

Dale Rose 101Posted
20/07/2016 at
12:52:06

This is a real wait and see. The squad we have is a good squad. Badly managed for the last 18 months, but still a good squad. With a top manager, it will be interesting to see what we do.

I'm very optimistic about the future, with or without some of the big-name signings. This team we have must realize its true potential. The real jewel in the crown are the kids for the future.

Bobby Thomas 102Posted
23/07/2016 at
07:48:08

John #50

"There must be doubts also as to Deulofeu's ability to be anything other than an erratic impact player."

Spot on. The kid has talent, loads of it, but is still all over the place.

John #51

We need a long term left back to replace Bainsey, who I think we may have seen the best of. Injuries are kicking in and he's all of a sudden 32. Been going up and down that left hand side for a long time now. Still a very good player at this point but staying injury free is key at this stage.

Oviedo is finished at this level. The injuries have taken about 2 yards off him. Pre-injury he was looking a proper player as well. However he is now reminding me of Kendalls 3rd spell.

Galloway was a makeshift and its doubtful Garbutt is the real deal.

We need a left back.

Raymond Fox 103Posted
23/07/2016 at
14:42:21

Dale 101, the betting has us to finish 9th this season, that's with Koeman as manager and Moshiri on board!

Who knows which players we will sign from now on, but it would be nice if some fans give the team and Koeman some breathing space to develop the squad.

Last year we had, they should be top 4- top 6, its all the managers fault bollocks all season, lets be more patient and realistic this time please.

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